For the past 16 years, when the Yankees have been holding on to a slim lead, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica would blare throughout Yankee Stadium, and every fan in the house knew that meant two things. One, that the game was about to come to an abrupt halt with the Yankees on the winning end, and two, they were about to see one of the best pitchers of all time. Years after the MLB retired the number 42 in honour of Jackie Robinson, they can finally put it to rest for good after this season.
Mariano Rivera, the long time New York Yankees closer, and the last player to wear the number 42 before it was retired, made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.
Rivera, who some hail as the greatest relief pitcher/closer of all time, will retire with many records and accolades to his name, including:
- a win loss record of 82-60
- a career ERA of 2.21
- 1,173 strikeouts
- 652 career saves
- 13 All-Star appearances
- five world series championships
- five time AL Relief man of the year
- three time delivery man of the year
- AL championship series MVP award (2003)
- World Series MVP (1999)
- all time Major League Baseball saves leader (652).
Needless to say he's had quite the career.
Outside of baseball Mariano Rivera has had a huge impact on the community. Rivera operates the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which provides education to underprivileged children in both his native Panama and the United States.
He and his wife Clara have three sons named Mariano Jr, Jafet, and Jaziel. He has been married to his wife since 1991 and they've known each other since elementary school. Among his other charitable contributions is the renovation of a church, of which the congregation currently holds their services in the Rivera home, and he's also helping to build an elementary school in Panama.
When Enter Sandman began to play on Thursday night, in the top of the 8th with one out at Yankee Stadium, Yankees fans knew exactly who was coming into the ball game. Though it wasn't a save opportunity, because the Yankees were losing to the Rays 4-0, and already eliminated from the playoff race. He didn't come in to save the game, he came in to say goodbye to the fans that he has represented, the fans that have supported him through his 19 year career. One final goodbye.
Both teams came outside of their dugouts, and all the fans who packed Yankee stadium that night were standing and clapping right there with them. In what was a touching standing ovation.
After his performance, his long-time teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite came to the mound to take him out of the ball game, marking the final time that Mariano Rivera would grace the mound at Yankee Stadium.
Mariano Rivera's final performance at Yankee Stadium.
This is where the waterworks began to flow. Rivera loved the game since he was a kid playing with sticks and rocks in Panama with his childhood friends. He played hard, he worked hard, and he will go down as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. To achieve the level of excellence that he has throughout a 19 year career from start to finish is to achieve immortality in baseball.
So take a bow Mo, Yankees fan or not, no one can deny the impact that he has had on the game. The career of Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all time, has come and gone, and now the MLB can finally put the number 42 to rest.
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Funny side note, here's a link to the Red Sox (Yankees biggest rival) honoring Mo's career, but also poking a bit of fun at the closer in the process. This is not the first sign of good cheer between the two teams, as Yankee fans belted out "Sweet Caroline" the Red Sox "theme song" earlier in the year in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Red Sox tribute to Mariano Rivera
Yankee fans sing "Sweet Caroline".
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